ML19275G484
| ML19275G484 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 05/05/1980 |
| From: | Kammerer C NRC OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS (OCA) |
| To: | Shuster B HOUSE OF REP. |
| References | |
| FOIA-80-274 NUDOCS 8006120212 | |
| Download: ML19275G484 (2) | |
Text
o UNITED STATES y
y
~
g NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION g
g
- E WASHING TON, D. C. 20$55 My 5 650 The Honorable Bud Shuster United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C.
20515
Dear Congressman Shuster:
I am pleased to respond to your letter dated April 28, 1980 regarding a constituent's inquiry on the Three Mile Island plant.
With regard to the issues raised by your constituent, the following information may prove helpful in answering his/hsr letter.
The Commission in its Statement of Policy and Notice of Intent to Prepare a Programatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) dated Novermber 21, 1979, directed the NRC staff to prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement on the decontamination and disposal of radioactive wastes resulting from the March 28, 1979 accident at Three Mile Island.
The PEIS has already been initiated and according to the current staff timetable is due to be completed in June 1980.
However, the Commission recognized in its Statement that it may be in the best interest of the public health and safety to decontaminate and/or dispose of some of these radioactive wastes during the development of the programmatic statement.
If the need to take such action arises, the Comission has stated that it will consider the advice of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) as to the Commission's NEPA responsibilities, and moreover, will not take such action until the activity has undergone an environmental review with opportunity for public comment.
The Commission further recognizes that there may be emergency situations, not at this time foreseen, which could require rapid action.
In these situations, the Commission has indicated its intention to consult with CEQ to the extent practicable.
With regard to monitoring, as a minimum both NRC and EPA are monitoring plant releases.
EPA has been designated the lead federal agency for monitoring and has stationed a full time staffer at TMI for this purpose. Moreover, results of the EPA monitoring are being made public twice weekly via local radio /TV stations.
Finally, NRC has had a full time field team both at the plant site and in the town of Middletown for several montns.
The Middletown NRC office is a full time office and includes a full time public affairs specialist who among other things has been meeting frequently with local officials on the plant situation.
Although your constituent requbsted that an office be established in Harrisburg, the Middletown site was selected as S006120.112 H
best facilitating both the public needs of people closest to the site (and hence most affected) and also NRC requirements for coordination and operation.
It would be logical to assume that due to the public's sensitivity to issues concerning the plant that information is being sent to Harrisburg, approximately 10 miles away.
I hope the above information is responsive to your needs.
If I can be of further assistance please contact me.
Sincerely, diCarlton Kammerer e or Office of Conaress~
Affairs
.